His ey
es clenched at the corners, as he pulled me close again. “I know, and I don’t like that. We have our entire lives to catch up on, so we’re going to have to put in some quality time every single day until we’re caught up.”
“Yes. I want to study you like you’re an algebra test,” I winked. “I hope I pass.” We laughed together as I ordered a glass of wine, then Grant led me around the room, stopping to chat with anyone and everyone.
He knew all of the right questions to ask, and how to draw people out until they were freely sharing and laughing. I was taking mental notes left and right. He was completely correct – people loved talking about themselves, and all we had to do was ask questions, then a few follow up questions.
The thing was, Grant seemed genuinely interested in every little thing. I had no idea that Jeremy in the mailroom kept exotic fish, but we ended up thinking up hilarious names for the new additions he was excited about getting next month. Apparently our receptionist Karen ran a video channel about scrapbook journaling.
The more we chatted with people I barely knew, the more I got to know Grant. His interest in the entire world was inspiring. He could talk to anyone about anything because he genuinely liked people. I could easily see why people would come back repeatedly for him to interpret their art and have it made permanent.
When we stopped to say hello to my manager David, it was bizarre listening to the two of them saying nice things about me, as if I weren’t standing right there. Finally David asked, “So, Grant, what do you do?”
“I’m an artist,” he said smoothly. “I co-own a studio. But I also have some small investments. Property, and shares in a couple of environmental technology companies.”
Turning to him, I grinned. “I didn’t know that.”
“I’ll show you my whole portfolio some time,” he chuckled.
David laughed lightly. “Leah is so organized that you likely should. She’s a wizard of paperwork and numbers.”
“Yes, I’ve been thinking of hiring her for a day to go through the systems at my studio to make sure we’re being completely efficient.” Grant turned to David. “Would I be breaking any exclusivity contracts if I hired her for just one day?”
David pretended to ponder quite seriously. “I suppose how she spends her vacation days is her own business,” he finally laughed.
“Thanks, guys, a girl just loves it when men talk like she isn’t here,” I giggled.
“Oh, please don’t tell HR on me!” David joked, throwing up his hands as a shield. We laughed again, then wandered away to chat with others.
“So, that’s your manager?” Grant said. “He seems like a good guy.”
“Wait,” I said. “I only introduced him by name. How did you know that?”
Grant looked sheepish. “I looked up your company and skimmed the department heads.”
“Sweet fancy Elvis.” I shook my head. “You’re incredible.”
“Incredibly in love with you,” he murmured, snuggling me under his arm. “Have we schmoozed enough, do you think?”
“Definitely. I’ve circulated more tonight than I have at the last three parties combined.”
“Did you really want to go somewhere else for a drink, or–”
“Let’s go to my place,” I interrupted. “I have a bottle of nice red I’ve been saving for no occasion at all. My apartment isn’t very impressive, but it’s close.”
“Sure, I want to see where you live.”
I’d never made out in the back of a taxi before. I’d never made out in an elevator. Going up just one floor wasn’t nearly long enough. We barely got in my door before his hands were reaching into the front of my dress, caressing my breasts firmly while I moaned against him.
Then he suddenly stopped, locking the door and coming in and looking around.
I wasn’t sure what he was looking for, or whether he was just getting a sense of the space. I knew that my apartment was pretty crummy, but it was almost big enough, just clean enough, and it was mine.
Then he turned to me, with such a hungry look in his eyes I almost didn’t know how to make sense of it. He took my hand, pulling me to the bedroom.
Holding me against him, he unzipped the back of my dress, kissing me softly. “You did such a good job tonight, baby,” he said gently. “All you needed was a tiny push, then you made all of those people love you even more.”
“I only care about one person loving me,” I whispered, cupping his face in my hands. “Grant, thank you for showing up for me tonight. Thank you for teaching me how to be a bit more outgoing. I know I’m going to learn a lot from you,” I grinned.